What did you manage to bring along to Greece from your home country after escaping?
Refugee women reflect on the belongings they carried and the memories they cherish
Refugee Women Stories: On the occasion of World Refugee Day, on 20 June, refugee women reflect on the personal items they carried - and the memories they left behind - as they fled their home countries.
This collection shares the voices of women who, despite enduring perilous journeys and unimaginable loss, have carried with them fragments of home, love, and survival. Each story is accompanied by a photograph or sketch symbolising their journey, capturing a piece of their resilience and humanity.
On International Women’s Day 2025, Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) highlighted similar stories of strength and transformation in its publication “A Rainbow in the Clouds”. Women spoke about the hardships they faced in their countries of origin, the items they managed to carry on their journey as well as those lost on the way, and their hopes for the future.
Building on those narratives, this piece offers a closer look at what some women brought from their homelands. These items, though often modest in appearance, hold deep emotional value as symbols of survival, hope, and connection to their pasts.
Each narrative is accompanied by a sketch by the photographer and artist Marily Stroux, who illustrated the women’s words. We extend our heartfelt thanks to her for her invaluable contribution.
"Memories in a Pair of Shoes"
“Until recently, I had a pair of shoes that I brought from Afghanistan, which held many memories for me. They were broken and completely worn out, but they carried me to Greece, they kept me company on the difficult journey, and gave my feet the strength to reach safety.”
Deniz*
"Trousers Too Big to Forget"
“Today I have only one pair of trousers left from what I carried that day. I kept them because they were new. Now they are several sizes too large for me, as due to the hardships we faced in Greece and in Switzerland and our forced return, I have lost many kilos. I don’t fit into these trousers anymore, but I keep them because they carry the scent of ‘home.’ Memories of Afghanistan are terrifying, yet it was still home.”
Arezu*
"Two Rings: A Lifeline From Family"
“The only possession I have left from my home country are these two rings. I had also brought one pair of earrings and one bracelet that my father had given to me, but I had to sell them here in Greece to cover the needs of my small daughter. We haven’t been getting any financial aid since we arrived, and I can’t go to work and leave my kids alone. These two rings are not only a memory of my family but my last resort in case of any emergency.”
Fereshta*
"A Photo Lost to the Waves"
“The one thing I wish I could have kept safe on my way to Greece is my mobile phone. Inside, I had a photo of the father of my children, who was killed many years ago by the Taliban. It was the only photo I had. When we crossed the sea to Greece, we got lost, and then the petrol, food, and water ran out. We spent four nights and four days at sea. One night there was a storm with big waves. Our bags fell into the water, and with them, my phone. A big petrol boat appeared, and for one night, they stayed next to us, tied our boat to theirs, and said they’d protect us from the waves, but they were not allowed to take us on board for rescue.”
Dunya*
"A Wedding Dress Left Behind"
“The worst loss on our way to Greece was the bag with my little boy’s clothes. At the Greek-Turkish land border, we had to walk for 3–4 days in the cold, and I had nothing to keep him warm. What I could not pack from Afghanistan but wish I could have, was my traditional wedding dress that my husband got me. It’s a memory of ‘home’ and ‘love.’ I had to leave it behind in our house, which is now inhabited by strangers.”
Nargis*
"Running With Empty Hands"
“I wish I could have brought with me something that held cherished childhood and home memories, but we had to leave overnight because we were in acute danger. We literally had to run, so we could not take anything.”
Aminata*
"Pain and Earrings"
“If you ask me what I brought from Somalia, I could say I brought a lot of pain, although it wasn’t my choice. The only object I could save was the earrings I am wearing now. They carry a hidden love story.”
Sagal*
"Memories in a Pair of Shoes"
“Until recently, I had a pair of shoes that I brought from Afghanistan, which held many memories for me. They were broken and completely worn out, but they carried me to Greece, they kept me company on the difficult journey, and gave my feet the strength to reach safety.”
Deniz*
Illustration: Marily Stroux
"Trousers Too Big to Forget"
“Today I have only one pair of trousers left from what I carried that day. I kept them because they were new. Now they are several sizes too large for me, as due to the hardships we faced in Greece and in Switzerland and our forced return, I have lost many kilos. I don’t fit into these trousers anymore, but I keep them because they carry the scent of ‘home.’ Memories of Afghanistan are terrifying, yet it was still home.”
Arezu*
Illustration: Marily Stroux
"Two Rings: A Lifeline From Family"
“The only possession I have left from my home country are these two rings. I had also brought one pair of earrings and one bracelet that my father had given to me, but I had to sell them here in Greece to cover the needs of my small daughter. We haven’t been getting any financial aid since we arrived, and I can’t go to work and leave my kids alone. These two rings are not only a memory of my family but my last resort in case of any emergency.”
Fereshta*
Copyright: Private
"A Photo Lost to the Waves"
“The one thing I wish I could have kept safe on my way to Greece is my mobile phone. Inside, I had a photo of the father of my children, who was killed many years ago by the Taliban. It was the only photo I had. When we crossed the sea to Greece, we got lost, and then the petrol, food, and water ran out. We spent four nights and four days at sea. One night there was a storm with big waves. Our bags fell into the water, and with them, my phone. A big petrol boat appeared, and for one night, they stayed next to us, tied our boat to theirs, and said they’d protect us from the waves, but they were not allowed to take us on board for rescue.”
Dunya*
Illustration: Marily Stroux
"A Wedding Dress Left Behind"
“The worst loss on our way to Greece was the bag with my little boy’s clothes. At the Greek-Turkish land border, we had to walk for 3–4 days in the cold, and I had nothing to keep him warm. What I could not pack from Afghanistan but wish I could have, was my traditional wedding dress that my husband got me. It’s a memory of ‘home’ and ‘love.’ I had to leave it behind in our house, which is now inhabited by strangers.”
Nargis*
Illustration: Marily Stroux
"Running With Empty Hands"
“I wish I could have brought with me something that held cherished childhood and home memories, but we had to leave overnight because we were in acute danger. We literally had to run, so we could not take anything.”
Aminata*
Illustration: Marily Stroux
"Pain and Earrings"
“If you ask me what I brought from Somalia, I could say I brought a lot of pain, although it wasn’t my choice. The only object I could save was the earrings I am wearing now. They carry a hidden love story.”
Sagal*
Illustration: Marily Stroux
